Nancy bats for release of inmates who have served maximum jail time

Alarmed by recent reports of severe overcrowding in the detention cells, Senator Nancy Binay has filed a measure seeking the automatic release of prisoners who have already served the prescribed period in custody for their offenses.

"It is the policy of the State for the humane treatment of inmates and prisoners. Yet, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology has recently admitted that its jails are now congested by 583 percent," said the senator.

Several news reports cited BJMP as saying that 142,013 prisoners have been crammed into 466 jails nationwide as of June 30. This is much higher than last year's 98,000 detainees.

Concerned, Binay filed Senate Bill No. 1263 which sought the automatic release of inmates who have served time that is equal to or more than the prescribed maximum imprisonment for their offenses. The bill covers all correctional and detention facilities, whether they are under the jurisdiction of the BJMP or the Bureau of Corrections.

The senator reasoned that releasing the said detainees would not only address the perennial problem of overcrowding in jails but would also allow for a more humane treatment of the detainees.

According to news reports, Pulilan Municipal Jail in Bulacan is the most overcrowded amongst BJMP's facilities, having a congestion rate of 3,590 percent. Intended to house only four inmates, this facility currently has 159 detainees.

The BiAan City Jail in Laguna is also facing the same problem, housing 595 prisoners even though its capacity is only for 22 inmates-a congestion rate of 2,603 percent.

The BJMP has admitted in news reports that it is undermanned with only 11,731 officers and personnel. Of this number, only 7,000 have custodial functions, a meager number compared to the 86,933 drug peddlers and users authorities have arrested since the government's campaign against drugs began on July 1, 2016.

News reports also say that the present custodial personnel to inmate ratio is one jail guard for every 63 prisoners, while the ratio for escorting prisoners to court hearings is one jail guard per 33 inmates.